Vehicle suspension



July 22, 1941. R. w. POINTER VEHICLE SUS PENSVIO N 1 Filed May 4, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 FQBERTM 7 0mm? AORNEY July 22, 1941.

R. w'. POINT ER VEHICLE SUSPENSION Filed May 4, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Patented July 22, 1941 one-halite Willamette Iron & Steel Co tion.Portland, reg., a corporation of Oregon Application May 4, 1940, SerialNo. 333,350

i 3 Claims. (01. 280 -124) This invention relates to an improved vehiclesuspension, and is particularly adapted for extreme heavy duty use inconnection with automotive trucks, trailers and the like.

In the hauling of extremely heavy loads on vehicle trailers, as is donein the logging industry, for example, new problems and conditions-arebeing encountered which prove certain parts of existingequipmentinadequate and often inoperative for the tasks assigned to it. These newproblems and conditions arise largely through the ever increasing speedand capacity of large hauling units. More powerful motors and toughermetals invite the carrying of loads which are so heavy that they greatlyovertax certain parts of the equipment. In the logging industry incertain parts of the country the size of the tending to induce rhythmicswaying or bouncing of the entire load as a unit. This phenomenonmayoccur on unsurfaced roads or onalmost' any type of hard surfacedroads. Even concrete roads, which may appear to the eyeto have aperfectly smooth surface,- may sag or dip between the expansion jointsso as to induce a rythmic bouncing of the load. At a certain speed onsuch a road the amplitude of the bouncing may increase until the entireload periodically rises clear of the bed of the trailer, creating ahazard which is likely to get beyond the control of the driver.

The invention is herein illustrated and described as applied to a fifthwheel typecoupi'er and to a combination load supporting spring andrebound snubber. In its more practical embodiment the device takes theform of telescopically mounted tubular members these being supported inextended position by springs enclosed therewithin, one of the tubularmembers having formed therewith a piston operable in a cylinder formedwithin the other tubular member, the

wheel type couplings commonly take .the form of disc or plate likesurfaces rotatively mounted one upon the other, the resistance offeredby friction therebctween tending to increase as the load is increased.With such constructions, swaying or jerking from side to side oftenresults from frictional resistance to changes in direction of travel.frictional resistance ofiered by the end surfaces of the coil springs isrelatively slight, and the coupling responds readily to changes indirection of travel.

when used in place of'th'e usual vehicle suspension mechanism, theinvention eliminates the use of conventional leaf springs, and becausespring shackles, blocks and the me are likewise eliminated a veryconsiderable reduction in the weight of the vehicle is eflected.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtype of suspension which will overcome, to a large degree the abovenoteddefects in present types ofvehicle suspensions. A particular object isto provide an improved shock absorber or rebound snubber for heavy dutyvehicles and the like.

A further object is to provide an improved fifth wheel type coupling forheavy duty vehicles.

A further particular object is to provide an improved shock absorber orsnubber for thelfifth wheel in a trailer attachment. r

In the attainment of these objects it is to be understood that theinvention is not intended I to be limited to automotive trucks, trailersand piston beingurged toward a limit of its movement by the action ofthe springs.

- The embodiment'of the present invention in a fifth wheel typecouplingmaterially lessens the hazards heretofore created by reason offailure of such couplings to respond readily to changes the-like,inasmuch as it is of general application for the suspension of bodiesrequiring a resilient,

shock absorbing support. In addition to trucks and trailers,the-construction of the present invention is of particular advantage andutility in the suspension of railway cars, mobile guns and other heavyequipment.

The above mentioned objects and advantages,

as well as additional objects and advantages. will. be apparent as thedescription proceeds in con- Figure 3 is a section showing the detailsof a preferred embodiment of the invention, and is taken on the line 3-4of Figure 1.

f in the direction of travel. As iswell known, fifth Figure 4illustrates an embodiment of the In the present construction-the presentinvention applied to the fifth wheel ofa full trailer, certain partsbeing broken away an certain parts being shown in section. g

Figure is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view corresponding to theshowing in Figure 4 and taken on the line of l ggtuxre drstmcfln Y -6isato plan ewo eco sh g vi in Flgureg5 with certain parts broken l ess.-igu 7 i z bottom plan 'view of the wearing plate shown in Figures 5 and9. Eigure 8 is a transverse sectional view showing the manner ofapplication of the present invention to a semi-trailer unit.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of applicant's novel assures load willcause the plate ii to occupy a position intermediate between the endwalls I4 and I! of the chamber l3. The action of the springs chamber i3.A small clearance 22 is provided around the edges of the plate II toprovide restricted passage for the interchange of liquid on oppositesides of the plate II as the latter suspension with parts broken away toshow the position of various elements when the device is undervload.

The manner of application of the construction of the present inventionto atandem trailerunit is illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. In Figure 1the road wheels i are'mounted upon the two axles 2, 2. The axles 2 arecarried at the extremities'of walking beams 3, 3 so as to have a limitedpivotal movement about the point of load support. The load upon thetrailer rests uponthe bed frame 3 which is carried by the transversebeam 5, being pivotally mounted thereon as indicated at 3. Thetransverse beam 5 carries atits extremities cylindrical portions 1, Ihousing the novel construction embodying the present invention. Thus itis seen that the weight of the load carried upon bed frame 4 istransmitted through the pivotal connection 6 .to the tranverse beam 6and thence through the suspension mechanism in the cylinders I to thewalking beams 3 carrying the road wheels i. Y

- The construction of the vehicle suspension forming the subject matterof the present invention is illustrated in'detail in Figure 3. Theweight of the load borne by the transverse beam 5 is transmitted to theouter shell 8 which is a part of the cylindrical portion indicatedgener-' ally at "I. The outer shell 8 is welded or otherwise made solidand integral with the transverse portion 9 which is provided with meansfor supporting the rigid bolt or piston rod III in the relationshipillustrated. A plate or piston-like .member II is fixed to the lowerend'of the piston rod it so as to operate freely within the cylindricalwalls i2 bounding the chamber iii. The cylindrical walls l2 carry a top,bearing surface I4, and, together with the bottom plate I5, define theliquid chamber I3. "Bottom plate i5 carries the upstanding walls l6therearound in the manner illustrated. To the under side of thebottomxplate I5 is attached the open hearing blocks II adapted to bearupon the semicylindrical bearing surface l3 on the walking i Restingfreely upon the top side of the plate II I reciprocates. It is desiredthat the clearance 22 be such that considerable resistance is ofiered'tothe interchange of all jupon the movement of the plate ii; Thisresistance, however, will be the same for either direction of motion ofthe plate Ii. v

Further means are provided for the passage of liquid from the bottomside of the plate H to the top side, such means being the openings 23.

and covering the openings 23 therein is the floating plate 24, whichconstitutes an important feature of the present invention. When theplate II is caused to move rapidly downwardly, liquid within the chamberl3 .will be forced around the edgesof the plate [I by virtue of theclearance offered to the flow of liquid through and around beam 5. Theshell 8 carries the integral end the plate H. When the plate II iscaused to move downwardly with a relatively high velocity the inertia ofthe floating plate 24 will cause it to uncover the openings 23,whereupon it will slowly follow the plate H downwardly until. itcomes torest on the plate ll, again closing the openings 23. The pressure ofliquid tending to escape through the openings 23 will also tend to keepthe parts .I I and 24 separated as long as plate II is experiencing adownward motion.

If the load be suddenly removed so that the springs I9 and 20 tend toproduce rapid upward motion of the plate Ii, such motion will beresisted by the piston action of the plate I l with the openings 23covered by the plate 24. When the plate ii moves upwardly it will beseen that liquid can pass around thv edges by way of the v clearance 22,but cannot pass through the openbeam 3. C011 springs l3 and 20 transmitthe load from the integral end portion 9- to the bearing surface M, fromwhence it is further trans- .mitted by the cylindrical walls l2 to thebottom plate i5 and thence to the walking beam 8.

Figure 3 illustrates the parts as they would appear with no loadthereon, the springs i9 and 23 being extended to the limit of theiraction as determined by the length of the-piston rod it, which issecured in the manners illustrated, to the integral end portion $3 andthe plate i i. A wearing plate ii is provided to form a bearing'surfacefor the upper ends of the springs l9 and 20. In operation the chamber 83is filled with oil or other suitable liquid, and. the weight of. the

ings 23, thus providing a snubbing action or a rebound check which is ofgreater effectiveness than the resistance to downward motion of theload. i

Apertures 25 are provided for the escape of surplus liquid from thechamber I3. In the illustrated embodiment the cylindrical walls I2merely rest upon the bottom plate if: under the pressure of the springsl9 and 20, this being suiflcient to establish a liquid tight jointbetween the members i2 and I 5.

To prevent the parts from becoming dissociated upon rebound, a yoke 26attached to the outer shell 8 encircles the walking beam 3 and efiects acontact with a bearing portion 21 thereon; Flexible material 28 isprovided to keep foreign matter out of the moving parts, regardless ofthe motion or position of the outer shell 8.

In Figure 4 the construction of the present in-'- vention is illustratedin application to the fifth wheel of a full trailer. The trailer has aframe 33 carrying a cross member 3!, to the central portion of which isattached the fifth wheel.

Through the agency of the fifth wheel, well understood in the art, theaxle 32 carrying road wheels 33 may pivot after the manner of the wagonaxle.

a,2so,1s4 a 3.

Figures 5 and 6 are enlarged .views of applicant's improved fifth wheelconstruction embodying the principles of the present invention. The axle32 contains a central opening bounded by the walls 39 and the recess orpocket 34 carrying cushioning material 35 therein. The

novel fifth wheel is indicated generally at 36, and has oppositelydisposed and downwardly de-' pending arms 31 supporting the structure inthe cushioning blocks 35. Plates 38 are provided to secure theassemblage in the relationship illustrated. Functionally the structureof Figure 5 is similar to the structure of Figure 3, and difiers only.in the manner of attachment to the load 15 extend along and areparallel to the direction An upstanding flange 40 is provided foratcarryin p tachment by welding or other convenient means, to the crossmember 3! on thetrailer frame 30. The flange 40 carries an integraldepending sleeve 4| and a bolt or piston rod 42. The lower end of thepiston rod 42 carries the piston or plate 43 in operative reciprocatingrelation with the cylinder walls 44 laterally bounding the chamberindicated generally at 45. In the illustrated embodiment the chamber 45is bounded on its bottom side by a removable closure member 46 carryinga drain plug 41. As in the pre-' viously described embodiment, afloating plate 80 rests freely'upon the upper surface of the plate 43 soas to cover openings 5| therein. In

addition to the openings II, a peripheral clearance is provided at 52for the interchange of liquid under considerable resistance from one 7side of the plate 413 to the other as the latter moves within thechamber 45.

The cylinder walls 44 in- 'the illustrated embodiment constitute thelower extremity of a forging or casting having arms 31. The cylinderwalls 44 are interrupted by the partition I! having apertures 54therein., Above the-partition it the cylinder walls again continue as at44' to enclose the working parts. The upper extremity of the cylinderwalls 44' carry a packing gland ll to s'nu'gly engage the dependingsleeve 4|.

The springs 58 and 51 carry the load and rest upon a steel bearing plate88. A brass wearing plate I9 is interposed between the steel plate I.

. and. the partition 53 to facilitate pivotal motion in the flfth wheel.

The construction of the brass wearingplate 5! is illustrated in Figure7. I Radial grooves are of a full trailer, it will be noted that thearms 31 are disposed forwardly and rearwardly, or at right angles, tothe direction of the axle -52. This is done to provide the greatestfreedom for relative up and down movement of the respective front wheels33 of the full trailer unit through the resilient action of thecushioning blocks ll.

In Figure 8 the elements of the invention are embodied in a furthermodification for application to a fifth wheel for a semi-trailer unit.In Figure 8 the fifth wheel unit I" is the same as the unit 38 inFigures 4, and 6, but it is mounted with the arms 31', corresponding tothe previously mentioned arms 31, disposed parallel 11' there isprovided the greatest possible 'ac- 7 w clearance 52.

commodation for an annular movement between the semi-trailer and thetruck, as in' negotiat ing the crest of a hill or the bottom of a hollowon the highway. In Figure 8 the frame of the 10 trailer is attached,cross member Il having a well 12 therein. The supporting arms 31' aremounted in cushioning blocks in a manner similar to the constructionshown in Figures 5 and 6, except that as above pointed out, the arms 31'of the cross member ll.

It will be seen that the construction of the present invention providesa suspension for a vehicle or the like which is resilient, whichfuncactions as a shock absorber, and which has the characteristic ofsnubbing or preventing rebound.

The action under loaded condition is best illustrated in Figure 9, wherethe parts'are shown in .thepositions .they would assume when the theembodiment used on a tandem trailer unit. the fifth wheel for a .fulltrailer unit, or the flfth wheel for a semi-trailer unit, although thespecific embodiment shown in Figure 9 is illustrated as having the sameconstruction as Figure 5.-

At the moment of extreme shock when the load .has compressed the loadcarrying springsto their utmost, the plate 43 will assume the positionillustrated which represents the downward limit of its travel. However,at the moment the plate 43 arrives ,at the downward limit of its travelthe floating plate It will not be resting thereupon as shown in fulllines, but will be momentarily floating in some intermediate position,as indicated by the dotted line position of the'plate II, which mayrepresent a momentary stationary or suspended condition of the plate 50,due to the upward now of liquid through the .openings II, or which mayrepresent merely v the instantaneous position of the plate 5. in thecourse of its downward travel toward its flnal rest position on top ofthe plate 43." Assuming the plate 43 to be inan intermediate positionwith the floating plate 50 resting thereupon, it

, will be seen that downward motion of the piston rod 42 can beaccomplished with less resistance than upward motion thereof. The degreeof restruction is very efl'ective in its shock absorbing and reboundchecking qualities in connection with heavy duty hauling and the like,where conventional, suspension and shock absorbing dees vices haveproved inadequate.

The-preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings teach how thepresent invention may be applied to different types of automotivetrailers, but it is understood that the invention is not limited to theuses illustrated, as it may be applied by a mechanic skilled in theartto other heavy duty requirements. such as railway car suspension, heavygun carriages, and the like.

Having now described my invention and in what manner the same may beused, what I The action of the present conframe, said piston rodextending through the aforesaid closure member and into said fluidmeansto close said opening in response to movement of said member in onedirection, a load supporting frame operably connected to saidpiston-like member, and a load supporting spring bearing at one endagainst a wall of said chamber and at its other end against said frame,and urging said piston-like member toward a limit of its movement insaid chamber.

3. A combination fifth-wheel, spring and shock absorber, comprising avehicle frame, a

' I cylinder rigidly mounted in said frame and depending therefrom andhaving formed therewith filled chamber, a piston-like member within saidchamber integral with said iston rod, an opening in said member, a valvemember operated by the liquid in said chamber to cover said opening whensaid piston-like member moves in one direction and to uncover saidopening when said piston-like member moves in the opposite direction,and a load supporting spring surrounding said piston rod exteriorly ofsaid chamber and urging said piston-like member toward a limit a of itsmovement in said chamber.

2. A combination fifth-wheel, spring, and shock absorber, comprising avehicle frame, a fluid-filled chamber ,mounted in said frame, meansrockably supporting said chamber in said frame, a piston-like membermovable in said chamber, an opening in said member, valve a piston, awheel-carrying axle, a second cylinder supported by said axle and havingformed therewith a chamber adapted to be filled with a liquid, meansyieldably supporting said second cylinder on said axle, said cylindersbeing telescopically mounted whereby said piston is operable within saidchamber, an opening in said piston, valve means within said chamber toclose said opening in response to movement or the piston in onedirection, load supporting springs mounted within'said cylindersexteriorly of said chamberfor supporting said cylinders in extendedposition and urging said piston toward a limit of its movement, and awearing plate in one of said cylinders for absorbing the frictioncreated by relative rotation of said cylinders.

ROBERT POINTER.

